Health insurance toadstool is edible?

Krankenkasse IKK classified a toxic mushroom as "edible" in its member newspaper.

(27.09.2010) The health insurer Joint IKK has in its member newsletter „Active & healthy“ a toadstool classified as edible. This was the green stuff that may cause nausea, sweating, muscle aches and severe fatigue in some people. A new French study even showed that the consumption of the fungus can even lead to death. Just a few years ago, the green compact was classified as "edible".

The Vereinigte Krankenkasse IKK had in its member magazine „Active and healthy“ In the 03/2010 issue accidentally touted a toadstool as edible. It was the mushroom green which is also called agaric. The mistake was made in the post „Autumn asks for dinner "In the meantime, the fund has reacted and published a correction in which it regrets the process and apologizes that the error had happened because an external agency was charged with reporting." In our opinion External agency has made a significant mistake that can endanger life and limb. "Not only does the fungus cause discomfort in some people, it is often confused with the dangerous and highly poisonous tuber-leaf fungus - even a small amount of the cone-shaped tuberous mushroom The number of inexperienced mushroom pickers is dying every year because they mistake the tuberous toadstool for example for the forest and meadow mushrooms, and IKK writes: "We urge you not to collect the green stuff and not to consume".

Just a few years ago, the green leaf (agaric) was actually classified as edible. A study by French scientists in 2010 showed, however, that the fungus should necessarily be deleted from the list of edible mushrooms. The fungus has already caused in several people a muscle weakness described as Tricholoma equestre syndrome. Some people have died as a result of eating. Probably the information from the external agency came from the previous years.

Inexperienced mushroom pickers should necessarily visit a mushroom advice center before eating mushrooms they have collected themselves. If a corresponding mushroom advice center is not in its vicinity, then in case of doubt the local poison center can also be contacted. If a fungus is not one hundred percent known, it is strongly advised not to consume it. (Sb)

Also read:
Health insurance IKK classified toadstool as edible
Mushroom poisoning increases dramatically
Naturopathy: mushrooms as medicine
Mushroom poisoning: collectors poisoned themselves in Berlin

Picture credits: Frank Hendrik Röder